Brushing mechanism for metal sheets and the like



April 28, 1953 o. PETERSON BRUSHING MECHANISM FOR METAL SHEETS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 9, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 'l INVENTOR. 121/56 0 PET'kJO/V BY MYJW/M April' 28, 1953 R. o. PETERSON 2,536,200

BRUSHING MECHANISM FOR METAL SHEETS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 9 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZUBEN 0. PETE/650M A TTOQIVEYS.

April 28, 1953 R. o. PETERSON 2,636,200

BRUSHING MECHANISM FOR METAL SHEETS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 9, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR. lfUBf/V O. PETERSON whim ATTOR EYS.

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 umran .r-STATES rTnN-r .FFICE BRUSHING MECHANISM "FOR METAL SHEETSAND THE-LIKE .Euben. 0. Peterson, University Heights, hio,.as-

ssignorl tofl'lfhe LOsborn Manufacturing Comv pany,I'Clev'eland,0hio, a corporation of Ohio :Ap'plic'ation December 9, 1946, Serial No. 714339 l'ilClaims. ..l

invention relates. to" surface: conditioning mechanism of the. type generally employing. rotarylbrushes or the like for surface conditioning metail'sheets and other articles.

1' Int-fiche processing ofzrnetal'strip or :sheet, for example; itcis general practice to: pass the workpieces continuously or. semi-continuously through az-series DfslWUl'k; stations -Where individual opera-tionsiv are; sequentially performed: thereon. The Workpiecermay' be of a continuousnature, such as steel stripr'cr roddingz-passing from a feed reel to attake-up reels-or 'itrmaycomprise' a series of individual mints. transported: on. a continuous conveyor system as. in the case of small "sheets, plate and-'some-partiallyfabricated articles. The operations periormecl-@thereon mayinclude rol1- ingl trimming; cutting pickling; annealing, scouring and.polishing,"for example. In many instances such a line-willdesirabiy'include a brush- 0 ingunit -for one or several purposes, including the removalof scaleand the impa'rting of a high polishto thearti'cle. Various such units-have been constructed in the past but have not" gone into general usage-fora numberof practical reasons. A--'common-disadvantage-has been 'the'la'ck of adequate -means for 1 adjusting the mechanism 1 to align the brushing surface of thedevice with the surface of theworkpiece and for'maintaining a proper pressure between such surfaces Without dangerhfdamaging either the brush orthe Work- .piece. "A further-serious difiiclil-ty has been encountered indevices or this nature employed in the past in that'very considerable shut-down time has been necessary for the reconditioning and replacement of the brush when the same has become worn undamaged. Any'appreciable stoppage of anotherwise' continuously moving line of this nature is exceedingly expensive and'militates against the use "of 'the clevice responsible forthe delay. Since. brushes of the type employeclinthese unitsmay be very large and heavy, but neverthelesseasilyvdamagedif improperly handlema" further pr'ohlemis encounteredin replacing the same Witha minimum of delay. Occasionallyalso Iit is-necessary to stop the movementofa continuous strip or conveyor and the workpiece may then .be damaged by continued contactvzithnthe -brushing..means. at one point thereon. ,flihere therefore, .need for. some meansior promptly moving the brush out of contact with. .the work withoutnecessarily. stopping rotation-of thebrush.

,Asprimary object. of. this, invention. is, therefore lto provide. smface conditioning .mechanism capable. of rapidand precise.:adj'ustmeptto. ac-

2 commodate it to varying typesandsizes ofwork.

Another object "of this invention is to provide such mechanism which maybe readily and rap idly removediroin its-position on the line and then replaced with a minimum of shut-downtime.

'A' further objectis to provide supporting-means for the brushsor other rotary" tool whichw'vill afford protection to such" tool when the same is removedifor repair or replacement and 'atthe sameftime will facilitate such removal-anew placement.

."Still another object isto provide means where'- by the rotating tool may be. quickly moved out of contact with the Work when desired, due-to stoppage ofIthe-Jinm-or-introduction of a new workpiece.

ther objects" of" this invention will appean as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing"- and relatedends; said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fullydescribed and particularlypoin-ted out in the claimsp'theftillowing description and" the annexed olra-yyings setting forth in detail" certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being *irldieativqhowever, ofbut arew of 'thevarious' ways in which the principle' of the inventioninay be employed.

'-' In said annexed drawings:

-Figfi 1 is a" topfplan view of the surface con clitioning"'mechanism* and driving" means" therefor;

"Figs2 is a frontelevational view of s'uch-mechanism' with'the suppo'rting-means on thene'ar side removed;

Figi3is amendelevational view ofsuch' mechanism-"but showing'two'un'its arranged for combined operation;

Fig: is is .a'vertical' cross section .throught's'uch mechanismlin the broken away'portion approximately midway on Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is" a" fragmentary detailedvievv of the adjusting and elevating means controlling 'the position of the'brushrelative to the work;

"Fig; 6 is a fra'gmentary'detailed view of. amddiiicatio'n' .shovving'means; for loclzingi'the hoo'd or housing in open position to facilitate replacement ofthe brush; and

Fig. '7' isle iragmentarydetail. view-of a split bearing for the. arbor of such brush.

Jim-general the inechanismofthis invention comprisesa base; whichmay be mountedonlthe framebf the conveyor," for example, conjunction With whichlit isdesignea to o'p.erate;-.a. cross framecarried by such-.baseranda brush housing. as'seinblyimounted. on such crossirame. and

3 carrying the rotary brush or similar tool adapted to engage the work.

The base Referring now more particular to the drawings, the base of the unit comprises Z-brackets l and 2 adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor frame or the like with such conveyor or continuous workpiece 3 passing therebetween. Another pair of similarly spaced brackets 41 and 5 carry uprights 6 and 1 supporting a frame bar or bridge 8 therebetween. This bridge serves to carry the means by which the brush housing assembly is vertically positioned relative to the work, as described below:

The cross frame A cross frame member 9 is pivotally attached to two spaced uprights or lugs l8 and H carried by bracket l and is supported at its other end by a threaded stud i2 pivotally mounted at 13 on bracket 2. Such stud is provided with large nuts l4 and I5 whereby this end of cross frame 3 may be elevated or lowered and held in desired position. It will be seen that a sturdy three-point suspension has thus been provided for such cross frame. A substantially vertical flange member i6 is welded to the upper surface of cross frame 9 and carries upstanding wings I! and I8 provided with split journals or bushings l9 and 20. clamps 2| and 22 may be released and swung back about their pivots 23 and 24 to permit the opening of such journals.

The brush housing assembly The brush housing assembly comprises a hood 25 of sheet metal extending well downwardly on either side of the brush and enclosed at its ends by heavy side flanges 26 and 21 which also extend upwardly and beyond such housing for purposes to be described below. This housing assembly is pivotally secured to wings I! and I8 by means of pins 28 and 29 passing through such flanges or extensions 26 and 21', journals [9 and 20, and flanges 30 and 3 I, respectively, such lastnamed flanges likewise being secured to hood 25 and strengthened by angle member 32 therebetween. Openings 33 are provided in the upwardly extending portions of side flanges 26 and 21 for the insertion of hoisting hooks or the like whereby the entire housing assembly may be lifted out of place after opening split journals [9 and 20.

A cylindrical rotary brush 34 is mounted on a shaft or arbor 35 for rotation therewith, one A end of said arbor being journaled in a bearing 36 carried by bracket 31 mounted on side flange member 2'! at the service end of the housing. Bolts 10 and H serve thus removably to secure such bearing to such bracket. The other or drive end of the shaft is journaled in two bearings 38 and 39 mounted in permanent alignment with each other on a bearing mount having upturned flanges 40 and 40' pivotally supported at Al by spaced brackets 42 and 42' on side flange member 26 of the housing. By careful machining of these latter parts the automatic alignment of all three bearings is assured when bearing 36 is unbolted from bracket 3! and shaft 35 is swung out of and later returned to position. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 7, a split bearing for arbor 35 may be mounted on end bracket 31, such split bearing comprising an upper bearing block 12 bolted and doweled to the bracket and a bearing cap 13 removably bolted to suc b q Screw Such block and cap hold correspondingly split bearing retainers l4, l5, split ball bearing cages 16, 17, and split journals [8 and 19. Split bearings of this type are quite common and commercially available (a well-known make being that of Split Ballbearing Corporation of Lebanon, New Hampshire) and facilitate release of this end of shaft 35 so that the brush may be swung out of the housing as above described.

The end of shaft 35 is provided with a drive pulley 43 connected by means of V-belts 44 to the driving means which may be, as illustrated, an electric motor 45. The use of a belt drive permits of ready disconnection of the driving means when it is desired to remove the brush assembly for renewal or maintenance. With reference to Fig. 3 of the drawing, it will be noted that since two brushing units are illustrated facing each other, opposite ends are toward the viewer and certain parts are accordingly differently numbered. Inasmuch, however, as it is desirable ordinarily to have the driving means for both units on the same side of the mechanism, drive pulleys 43 are thus illustrated in the figure. It has also been found that generally greatly improved results are obtained if the brushes are rotated in opposite directions.

The rotary tool employed will depend on the operation in view and the mechanism of the present invention is adapted for use with brushes of various sorts, buffs, grinders and the like. The use of brushes is, however, particularly contemplated and especialiy brushes of the type disclosed in the co-pending application of Ruben 0. Peterson, Ser. No. 632,831, filed December 5, 1945, now abandoned, which brush provides for the supplying of abrasive or other material internalhr of the brush and application thereby to the work. In the polishing of stainless steel strip and the like, powderous precipitated alumina or an aqueous slurry thereof may be thus supplied through the brush or sprayed on the strip in advance thereof. It has been found that when such polishing agents are employed in conjunction with brushing means having a plurality of units, such agent may be substantially entirely removed from the Work by such brushes, thereby avoiding the necessity of a subsequent washing step which ordinarily deleteriously affects the high finish otherwise obtained. Depending upon the operation involved, the brush material may be selected from a wide assortment, including metal wire, cord, vegetable fibers such as Tampico fiber, animal bristles of various sorts, and synthetic bristles such as nylon. A self-ventilating brush construction is usually desirable as the brushes will be operating relatively continuously.

The height adjusting means Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, the depending front of hood 25 is provided with a boss 46 through which heavy screw 41 is threaded. Such boss will ordinarily be located about midway of the length of such hood (in the portion broken away on Fig. 1) but the exact position lengthwise of the hood is not material. A look nut 48 may be tightened to lock such screw in adjusted position. A stop member 49 is carried by the lower end of such screw and is provided with two upstanding slotted flanges 50 and 5| through which pass screws 52 and 53, respectively. When such screws are tightened, the flanges. serve to brace stop 49 in adjusted position. Frame bar or bridge 8 carries an upstandins flange 54 t9 which two pairs of'links Stand egcaoaco 5. 58 L are pivotally secured. Such links pivot-my. embrace a block 51 carrying a pair of concentrically mountedicamrollers 5B,one:ona each side ofbloek 5 F see Figze) the peripheries of which extend above' the upper surface of such block and-are adapted to: engage the respective under surtacesof stopslo (two brushing units :being shown in the embodiments illustrated" in Figs. and 4 An air cylinder bt is connected to block 5 by meansof'rod Bil. 1110136161 to limit the'degree to which such: brushes may be. lowered; stop 45 will lie-adjusted and locked'in positionas above described. When the brush isnot inengagement' .Withthei work and therefore not-supporting-r the-assembly, the under surface of such step will: rest on roller 58 of block 57" withsu'ch block. in turn restingzupoll the upper surface of flange member: 54. When, for any'reason, it: is desire'dto: elevateitthe brush out of contact 'with thework, this. isz'quickly accomplished by actuatingaair cylinderlii! (seeaFig. 1) to. move block 51 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, links 55.and 556 aetingsas eccentrics "to elevate suchtblock and thereby slightly elevate: the; entire brush housing. assembly, such assembly" being rocked upwardly about. its. pivots 2S" and '29.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig- 3, a workpiece such as strip '3 may pass between pinchrolls 6| to either side. of the unit and such strip will desirably be: backed by rubber covered backing. muses positioned adequately to. support the strip,; but spaced to: avoid contact with the brushes should such brushes be. lowered into position .in the. absence of such strip.

, The: brush housing" assembly height: adjusting r meanswi'llzordinarily be set-to: allow mostiof the weightcoi the .brush: and. housingyto rest :upon the work. The mechanism of this. invention, suitably counterbalanced, islikewise adapted to be :mounted. to condition the under. surfaceof the strip or" other workpiece.

Operation Then screw i'l will be adjusted to properly positionstop ts so that the brush will restas heavily as desired upon the work. .The two brushesmay then be operated-ordinarily at. a high-pretest speed and in opposite -.-directions. Abrasives, polishing. mediums, or the like may be fed. either through or in advance. ofthe brushes. Asthe brush wears, stop 45 will be correspondingly adjusted to maintain unifiorm pressure. of. the. brush upon the work. Should the line .be stopped momentarily, eccentricmountecl block Elmay be actuated, as above explained, through. cylinder59 to. raise. the brush. housing. assembly and" thereby lift the" brush out of contact with'the. work. Motor Eli may be so positioned that all such adiustments have no appreciable efiect upon the driving connections.

' The entire brush housing assembly may be hoisted" from its supporting frame after opening bushings l9 and 29' .and another such assembly containing a 'newbrush swung into'place with a a minimum of shut-down time.

It is, however;possibleto remove and replace worn brushes themselves in a minimum: of time.

The entire'brush housing assembly is-first "removed as "describedab'ove and the assembly invented; restingoneendmangesi 26 andr'fl. :Bushi-ngfiafiaimam thenrbe :unbolted amt shaft 35-:with the: brush 1" thereon. swung "putt-of :the shon'sing, paintings-abs. Assshowmint-Eigi; ,nthez-bearing mount-T63 toorrespondingitdzmounti 40a in: Fig,.;i:2) mew-be: provided-with.-zauzplurality of.=.apertures lit-and 6'5, adapt-ed;to"beopositioned-opposite to aprn-turesattl spacedbrahketsf: Elicorrespondingl to brackets 4 22 ineFi-gs. hand: 2.) whensuch shaft and: brush are thus/swung; out: of: the-shousing. *A pin:may:theirlberinsertedzthroughgsueh aligned apertures to lock shaft 35 inopen positionlwhile the brush. is; being: removedltzand replaced. T In this manner tit 'w;ill.- .-be i seen i that danger" ol' damaging': therbrush: .iszavoided and. the ease :with "which it .is replaced igreatly facilitated.

As eshown. in iconnectlon .with the; leftehand housing illustrated in; FigsB; fcurzauxiliaryylegs such as 68 and 69 may .desirablyzzbe*rboltedsto housing-supporting -side :fianges 2E :and ":21 straddling theworlz. lSuch legslare suspended-in spaceduring operation of the maohinebutxwhen the brush housing :-assembly is removed :irom the line such legs vs'rill serve to su'ppo'rtthesame with the-brushor other'rotaryto'ol: out of contact-with the floor, preparatoryto inverting the housing for removal of the brush.

'Thwmcchani-sm of this invention, therefore, while-heavy and powerful, if 'desiredpis nevertheless' adapted tobe quickly-and. positively adjusted to accommodate various types of work. Ready interchange of brushes or other rotary tools likewise-adapts it for-use in" a line where the work is continuously traveling: while a series or operations are performed thereon.

The term surface conditioning" as used herein" and in the-claims refers-to improving the surface of the -artic1e-as by brushing; bufiing, and the like. Such improvement-maybe in the form of-removal of irregularities, obtaining' of a high polish, removal of rust ormill scale, and the like.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention maybe employed; change being made as regardsthe details described, provided the features'stated' in'any-of the following claims or the. equivalent of such be "employed.

I therefore particularly pointoutand-distinctly claim astmy invention:

1. "Surface conditioning"mechanism comprising a cylindrical rotary brush, a housing for said brush; an arbor for said'bru'sh extending from each "end'thereof, bearings on said housing-at each end ofsaid brush in which said arbor is iournalled'm-cans' operable to release said arbor from its-bearing at oneaend' of saidbi-ush, means pivotally-mounting the hearing at the other end of--=said brush about an axis :tranverse ito. the axis of said after 1 whereby: said brush-"may be swung outlet-said housing: a supporting. member toisaid housing disposedparallel'to said arbor, means pivotally connecting.- said. .member and said housing for. arcuate. swingingmovement of said. housing-aboutan...axis;.parallel. to said brush in which said brush is journalled, a supporting member for said housing disposed parallel to the axis of said brush, means pivotally connecting said member and said housing, means limiting the degree of such pivotal movement of said housing relative to said member, a base for one end of said supporting member pivotally connected to such end at right angles to said firstnamed pivotal means, a base for the other end of said supporting member, and means for elevating and lowering such last-named end relative to its base.

3. Surface conditioning mechanism comprising a cylindrical rotary brush, supporting means for said brush, means mounting said brush on said supporting means for pivotal movement relative thereto about an axis parallel to the axis of said brush, and means for adjustably inclining said supporting means about an axis transverse to the axis of said brush.

4. Surface conditioning mechanism comprising a cylindrical rotary brush and supporting means therefor including means operative to swing said brush about an axis parallel to the axis of said brush and pivotal mounting means operative adjustably to incline the axis of said brush.

5. In surface conditioning mechanism, an ar bor, a cylindrical rotary brush mounted on said a-rbor for rotation therewith, a housing for said brush, a split bearing carried by one end of said housing in which an end of said arbor is adapted to be removably journalled, a bracket on the other end of said housing, a bearing mount pivotally supported by said bracket, and two spaced bearings carried by said mount in alignment with said first-named bearing, whereby said arbor and brush may be swung out of said housing about such pivotal mounting and later returned to position with said bearings automatically aligned.

6. In surface conditioning mechanism, an aring the other end of said arbor and pivotally mounted on said housing for movement as a unit, whereby said arbor and brush may be swung out of said housing and later returned to position with all of said bearings automatically aligned.

7. In surface conditioning mechanism, an arbor, a rotary tool mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith, a bearing removably supporting one end of said arbor, two spaced bearings aligned with said first-named bearing supporting the other end of said arbor, and a unitary support for said two spaced bearings mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the axis of said arbor, whereby said arbor and tool may be swung about such pivotal mounting after release from said first-named bearing and later returned to position with all of said bearing automatically aligned.

8. In surface conditioning mechanism, an arbor, a cylindrical rotary brush mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith, a housing for said brush in which said arbor is journalled, a support, for said housing to which said housing is pivotally attached for movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said arbor toward and away from a workpiece, an adjustable stop limiting such movement of said housing and brush in a direction toward such workpiece, and eccentric means operative to move saidstop and thereby said housing and brush away from such workpiece.

9. In surface conditioning mechanism, an arbo-r, a cylindrical rotary brush mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith, a housing for said brush in which said arbor is journalled, a support for said housing to which said housing is pivotally attached for movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said arbor, an adjustable stop limiting such movement of said housing in one direction, and eccentric means operative to move said housing in the other direction.

10. In surface conditioning mechanism, an arbor, a rotary tool mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith, a support for said arbor pivotally mounted for movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said arbor, means limiting such movement of said support and arbor in one direction, said support being freely rockable in the other direction, and means operative quickly to move said limiting means thus to rock said support.

11. In surface conditioning mechanism, a rota-ry brush, a support for said brush pivotally mounted for swinging movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said brush, means adjustably limiting downward movement of said support and brush toward the work, and power means operative quickly to elevate said support to raise said brush from such work.

12. In surface conditioning mechanism, a portable unit comprising a cylindrical rotary tool, the outer cylindrical surface of which is the working portion, a supporting and protective housing in which said tool is journalled, means operative to release one end of said tool from its respective bearing, means pivotally mounting a bearing for the other end of said tool on said housing whereby said tool may be swung out of said housing, a member adapted to support said housing, and means pivotally connecting said housing to said member for arcuate movement about an axis eccentric to the axis of said tool.

13. In surface conditioning mechanism, a portable unit comprising a cylindrical rotary tool, the outer cylindrical surface of which is the working portion, a supporting and protective housing in which said tool is journalled, means operative to release one end of said tool from its respective bearing means pivotally mounting a bearing for the other end of said tool on said housing whereby said tool may be swung out of said housing, a member adapted to support said housing, means pivotally connecting said housing to said member for arcuate movement about an axis eccentric to the axis of said tool, means limiting the degree of such pivotal movement of said housing, a base for one end of said supporting member pivotally connected thereto on an axis at right angles to the axis of such pivotal mounting of said housing, a base for the other end of said supporting member, and means operative to elevate and lower such latter end relative to said latter base.

14. In surface conditioning mechanism, a portable unit comprising a cylindrical rotary tool, the outer cylindrical surface of which is the working portion, a supporting and protective housing in which said tool is journalled, said housing enclosing less than the full diameter of said tool, a member adapted to support said housing, means pivotally connecting said housing to said memher for arcuate movement about an axis eccenfeet on said housing extending beyond the portion of the outer periphery left exposed by said housing and adapted to support the latter when said housing is separated from said supporting member by removallof such pivotal connection.

15. In brushing mechanism including a housing, bearing means carried by the respective ends of said housing, a brush arbor journalled in said bearing means, a cylindrical rotary brush mounted on said arbor with a portion of its periphery exposed for engagement with a workpiece, and housing supporting means adapted removably to support said housing with said brush in working position; 'fmeans pivotally mounting said bearing means at one end of said housing for swinging movement of said arbor and brush outwardly of said housing, and means adapted to release said arbo'r' at the other end of said housing to permit such outward swinging movement, whereby, when'said housing has been removed from said supporting means said brush may readily be removed from and replaced on said arbor.

16. In brushing inechanism including a housing, a brush arbor rotatably carried by the respective ends of said housing, and a generally cylindrical rotary brush mounted on said arbor and partially enclosed by said housing with a portion of its periphery exposed for engagement with a work-piece; pivotal means on one end of said housing carrying said arbor for swinging movement of said arbor and brush outwardly of said housing, and arbor supporting means at the other end of said housing adapted to release said arbor from said housing to permit such outward swinging movement.

17. In brushing mechanism including a housing, abrush arbor rotatably carried by the respective-ends of said housing, a generally cylindrical rotary brush mounted on said arbor, and supporting means adapted to support said housing for engagement of said brush with a travelling work-piece of fiat strip material or the like; means adapted to move said housing relative to said supporting means toward and away from such work-piece, and mounting means adapted adjustably to incline said housing and thereby said arbor relative to said supporting means to bring the Working face of said brush into parallel with the transverse surface of such workpiece engaged thereby.

RUBEN O. PETERSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 934,084 Mills Sept. 14, 1909 1,436,464 Sundh Nov. 21, 1922 1,633,216 Lakeman June 21, 1927 1,687,201 Hagen Oct. 9, 1928 1,880,887 Dittmar Oct. 4, 1932 2,156,881 Snyder May 2, 1939 2,262,839 Fallon Nov. 18, 1941 2,266,757 Holland Dec. 23, 1941 2,293,865 Sykes Aug. 25, 1942 2,307,046 Johnson et al Jan. 5, 1943 2,453,339 Peterson Nov. 9, 1948 

